Audio Questions

Sorry if these questions have been answered before. I am a 2 month new 996 owner and newish to the forums. The stock audio system in my 03' is really bad and I am trying to get some research done before doing a retrofit. I am confused on a few things regarding replacing my radio/cd player and the speakers. First, is there anything special about the stock speakers (not Bose) that would prevent just putting in a same sized speaker that actually sound good? Second, will pulling out the stock radio/cd player screw up the car's computer since it is wired into it? Third, can I use the existing speaker wires or will I need to run new wires. There is an electrical box mounted in the trunk between the spare tire and rear wall in a bracket. In pictures I always see a second box that is the amplifier so what is this box? Is it the car's computer?

Congrats on your purchase and welcome to the forums. The 2003 996 was the first to use the MOST fiber optic ring. This is a digital audio system, and the connections between the head unit, amp and CD changer are made with fiber optics. The connections to the speakers are made with traditional copper wires. You can change the speakers and use the existing wires when you do so. This is a good first step as most people (me included) consider the speakers to be the weakest link in the system. Pulling the stock head unit or CD changer shouldn't cause any issues at all with the computer. I'd recommend changing the head unit and adding a new amp to your new system for optimal sound. You can keep a single-DIN system if you choose, or the climate controls can very easily be relocated into the lowest slot in the dash with factory trim pieces, allowing you to install a new double-DIN system. This will allow you to have a large nav screen if this is something that interests you. One thing to note: many people are interested in upgrading their systems to allow for bluetooth hands-free phone conversations. You can certainly do this, but the noise level in the 996 due to engine and tire noise is so loud that hands-free conversation is not good. As for the boxes you mention, you might consider posting pics. I'm not sure what they are, but I'm sure there's an expert here who can identify them. Good luck!

Does the above from Dennis mean that in a 2002 Targa with Bose system I can swap in any single DIN head unit and it will work?

I believe this will work. The only issue you might have is that Bose speakers are 2 ohms while most traditional head units are 4 ohms. I think there might be a way to connect this or an adapter, but I'm not sure.

Quotes source post: 10709408

Are the speakers driven by the external amp in the frunk? And if so wouldn't the only output from the head unit be the preamp output to the external amp with the amp presumably optimized for the bose speakers? Or did they run some of the speakers directly from the head unit?

I know there is an amp in the frunk and one in the back for the subwoofer. I think your logic makes sense - if the signal comes straight from the head unit to the amps and the amps drive the speakers, this should work. Unfortunately, I don't know if this is the case. I changed my head unit, amp and speakers. Perhaps others will chime in...

If you have the MOST system, then you have two options: (1) replace head unit and amp or (2) just replace head unit and run speakers directly off of head unit. If you run a new amp, you can likely get away with running the dash, doors and rears as is off of the amp, as long as your amp is stable down to 2 ohms (most are). The sub, you will definitely have to rewire in series just to get it up to 2 ohms. If you choose option 2, then you will have to wire the dash in series, doors in series and rears in series to bring them up to 4 ohms. In order to run the sub off of a head unit, you would likely have to put a resistor between the head unit and the sub to bring the impedance up or risk frying your head unit. Not sure what your configuration of speakers is, but most head units are only going to support two sets anyway, so your better off putting in a new amp. In my 2004, I put in a 5 channel amp that runs the doors, rears and sub. The dash is wired directly off the head unit (rewired in series). I haven't replaced my speakers yet, but just the addition of some good clean power makes a tremendous difference even to the Bose speakers.

I have the MOST system, too, and decided to,replace the HU and the amp, while leaving the speakers alone. My measurements showed these impedancies Rear speakers approx 4 Ohm Door speaker approx 2 Ohm dash speakers approx 2 ohm Subwoofer (single one, I have a cabriolet) 1 ohm There are several 5 channel amps out there that can drive a 2 or even 1 ohm load. I decided on the Polk Audio PAD 5000.5. It has a dedicated sub amp that can drive 1 ohm, the remaining channels can drive 2 ohms. If you use a HU such as pioneer DEH-80PRS ( very ugly but excellent sound quality and adjustability) and run it in network mode (must defeat the crossovers on the amp) you can get a pretty decent sound out of the stock speakers. There is an adapter for the connector that attaches to the Bose amp in MOST equipped cars. It is made by autoleads and only available through amazon UK (Autoleads PC2-95-4 connector, ca. $60, incl shipping). By using that adapter you don't need to cut into the factory wiring and can use the stock wires for the speakers. See also the following post http://www.renntech.org/forums/topic...install-notes/ If you decide to update the whole system with a new HU and Amp the only connections you need from the car are constant power, switched power and light panel switch, and of course the ground. Both power sources are available from a unused 4 pole connector sitting in the middle console under the cubby. The fitting cable is available from Becker NA, Telephone Power cable Part# 5001.524 (ca $5) or create your own connectors . I have not found out where to connect the light switch panel connector. Using s single DIN unit will make things immensely easier and cheaper, and if you get the Pioneer mentioned above you end up with great sound. I have my android phone to be used for navigation.

For the Cayenne, you can purchase a MOST-HUR adapter that allows you to use the Bose amps and speakers with an aftermarket head unit. Is this not the case for the 996?